England set New Zealand 254 to win first Test at Lord's with Black Caps ending wicket-packed second day on 36-3

England and New Zealand played out another day of Test cricket in fast-forward, which featured a debut fifty for Emilio Gay, the home side losing four wickets for one run in 11 balls, and the tourists closing on 36-3 after being set 254 to win at Lord's. New Zealand slipped to 0-1 in the first over of their second innings when captain Tom Latham edged Gus Atkinson to slip and then lost Kane Williamson - who has more than likely played his final innings in a Lord's Test - lbw to Josh Tongue for 18 close to stumps before nightwatchman Will O'Rourke was castled by Atkinson (0). Devon Conway, who survived a tight lbw review after being pinned on the pad by Ollie Robinson, is 12 not out, with his side needed a further 218 runs for victory. Scorecard: England vs New Zealand, first Test, Lord'sGot Sky?

Watch England vs NZ live on the Sky Sports appNot got Sky? Get instant access with NOW - no contract A 17-wicket day two followed a 16-wicket opening day and it may now only be the weather - Saturday's forecast looks rather grim - that prevents a three-day finish to kick off the men's Test summer. England appeared to be in full control of the game after they bowled New Zealand out for 113 before lunch on Friday - the lead was 27 runs at that point - and then, helped by Gay's composed half-century and Kiwi errors in the field, reached 126-2.

However, Gay nicking Nathan Smith (6-70) behind triggered a remarkable mid-innings collapse, with Smith going on to trap Joe Root (8) lbw and nail the off stump of Ben Stokes (0) around O'Rourke (2-46) trapping Harry Brook - England's top-scorer in the first innings with a counter-attacking 56 - leg before. England were suddenly reeling on 127-6 - due to the bowlers' class in gloomy conditions as opposed to dreadful batter error, it must be said - but runs from Jamie Smith (39), Gus Atkinson (14) and Robinson (29no) allowed the hosts to put on 99 runs for the final four wickets as the lavish moment abated somewhat. Back at the start of the day, New Zealand added 55 runs to their overnight 61-6 - 38 of them coming off the bat of Kyle Jamieson, who swung Robinson (5-39) for a brace of sixes when the seamer dropped short and then another off a Tongue (3-40) slower ball. Robinson polished off the Kiwis' innings by cleaning up last man Matt Henry for a two-ball duck, completing his fourth Test five-for and first since the 2022 Test against South Africa across London at The Kia Oval.

The Oval is the venue for the second Test of this three-match series, from Wednesday June 17, and, as things stand, England are favourites to be heading into that contest with a 1-0 advantage. More to follow.